1. International Projects in Central America
World Community Service in Latin America
A Selected Review of International Projects

2. Why are International Projects and World
Community Service an emphasis in Rotary.
– The Fourth “Object of Rotary” – the Foundation of
the Rotary movement.
– Rotary Foundation Emphasis is serving the less
fortunante in the world – humanitarian service
– Service to the most needy in the world leads us not
only to the less fortunate in our community but those
areas of the world where the extremely poor live.

3. Why do Rotarians do international projects?
– Many motivations, but some stand out:
– About being a ‘Good Rotarian’ – living up to the
values of Rotary, and the ‘Objects of Rotary.’
– An impactful way of doing Rotary Service – one can
see the impacts and the changes in poor people’s lives.
– A rewarding way to do Rotary Service – the impacts
and the experiences and friendships created.
– Creates friendships in other cultures, in other countries
– Enriches our clubs – more interesting mix of service

4. Why Central America projects:
– Basically, high needs, convenient and inviting
– Close to US. Airfare $700-800 – easy one day flight
– Central American Rotarians are good partners: used to
working with North Americans, eager for partners.
– C.A., while mostly Spanish speakers, often
understand English and some speak it well.
– The two Central American Rotary District are
organized to work with us, and eager for North
American project partners. Some very skilled.

5. Our Clubs Early History.
– First significant international projects began in
Central America in 2000-2001.
- Club Funded the purchase of a River “School Boat”, to
shuttle school children from their villages to their schools
along the Rio Dulce in Eastern Guatemala. About $2000
was provided. Faciliated by some yachers from Bainbridge,
who observed the need and sought assistance. John Walker
orchestrated our club’s response.
- About a year later, with the first “school boat’ a success, the
club funded a second boat. Similar amounts and conditions.

6. Our Club’s Early History
– First Rotary Foundation Matching Grant was sought
and obtained in 2001-2002.
– Partnered with the Rotary Club of Castelar, in Buenos
Aires
– Project involved the equipping and furnishing of a
basic dental clinic, in a very poor neighborhood on the
outskirts of Buenos Aires.
– Project was successful.
– Provided valuable experience to several of us,
allowing us to encourage and train others in Club.

7. Some Criteria Guiding Central American Projects
– Strive to address the basic humanitarian needs.
– Focus on the poorest in the world.
– Create and work with strong Rotary partnerships in the
host country. Create explicit partnership agreements.
– For all except very small projects, obtain Rotary
Foundation grants, so to obtain ‘multiplier effects’ of
club’s monies.
– Stress good project design and develop written
implementation plans.

8. The Multiplier Effects of Rotary Foundation
Global Grants.
– Each partner must contribute: customarily int’l
partners contribute most of the club monies.
– Each District matches each club’s contribution,
usually on a 1 to 1 basis, up to $15,000.
– Rotary Foundation matches the clubs monies on a
.5 to 1 basis, and District monies on a 1 to 1 basis.
– Project must comply with Foundation’s areas of
emphasis, and with “Terms and Conditions”.

9. The Multiplier Effects of Rotary Foundation
Global Grants.
– Typically Central American projects range in size
from $35,000 to $55,000.
– Many of these projects include other club funding:
we organize funding from international partners.
– Often, our club contributes $7000 to $12,000: other
clubs contribute $3000 to $8000.
– Thus our club funds are multiplied 3.5 to 8 times
– For example, our club $8000 could create a
$53,000 project.

10. Central American Projects in the Early 2000s
– Shipment of Medical Equipment to Peru. Collected
selected used medical equipment.
– Shipment of Medical Equipment to Hospital
Cuidad Pacifica, near San Miguel, El Salvador.
Rotarians collected, selected, and packed out Full Size
container. Our club paid for transportation. RC of
San Miguel received, and unloaded at hospital.
– Shipment of 2nd Shipment of Medical Equipment to
Hospital Cuidad Pacifica, and the Maternity Ward of
the San Miguel Hospital. Similar arrangement.

11. Central American Projects in the Early 2000s
- School Support for poor community near San
Salvador, El Salvador, partnering with RC of
Cuscatlán. Grant provided for school equipment,
furnishings, books.
- Providing Equipment, furnishings and materials for
Boca Chica Village School in Panama. Rotary Grant.
- Provided High Capacity Van for poor elderly home in
San Ignacio, Belize. Partner clubs: Rotary Club of
Belize and several South Carolina clubs.

12. Current Central American Projects:
– Quetzaltenango, Guatemala - Third in a series of
Microfinance Projects, with Microfinance Institution
Solidarity and Development. Partnership: Rotary
Club of Quetzaltenango and 8 District 5020 clubs.
– Rio Dulce/Lake Izabal, Guatemala – Second in series
of water, sanitation, and nutrition projects for very
poor Indian villages in the Eastern lowlands
– Last month Rick and Cathy Golden spoke to the club
about these two project series.

13. International Projects in Central America
Each year the Clubs of the seven
countries and two Rotary Districts of
Central America host a Central
American Project Fair in late January
Friday afternoon thru Sat night ‘trade fair’-like format
plus interest group sessions, entertainment and meals
Central America Project Fair
Jan 2009 Belize City, Belize

14. Central American Clubs set
up booths and displays

18. Meeting Old Friends
and Collaborators

22. Sessions on Clean Water, Sanitation,
Microfinance, Health and Medicine

23. Small Group Meetings

24. Dinner and Evening Entertainment

25. Some “Gringos” from our District

26. International Projects in Central America
San Ignacio Belize Project
Rotary Foundation Grant 2007-2008
Partnership with RC of San Ignacio, South
Carolina Club
Purchase of a large van, about
$35,000, to transport the residents of
an elderly home, which is supported
by charitable contributions

27. Visit to Elderly Home, San Ignacio, Belize

28. Our Club helped purchase a transport
Van, through matching grant
Feb 2009 Visit to San Isnacio, Belize Wright Home for the Elderly

30. Travelling Group with our Driver and host Rotarian - Rotarian is 3rd from Rigth

31. International Projects in Central America
Boca Chica, Panama Village School
Upgrade, Furnishings and Text Books
Partnership with RC of David, Panama
Rotary Foundation Grant about $40,000
2006-2008

32. Boca Chica, Panama School Upgrade 2006-2008

33. Boca Chica is near David Panama, in the
West side of the country, near Costa Rica

34. Boca Chica
Village
Panama

36. Donna Skinner, Howard Hanners, RC of
David Rotarians, and Brent Jan 2006

51. July 1, 2008